Checking Back:

Gov. Jim Gibbons on reducing greenhouse gases

Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Today’s question: How accurate were those who tried to size up Gov. Jim Gibbons’ commitment to reducing greenhouse gases?

“I am looking forward to Nevada joining the world in its quest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” — Gibbons, in an April 2007 statement announcing the Nevada Climate Change Advisory Committee

Note: The committee issued its recommendations. They do not call for reducing Nevada’s total carbon emissions. They allow for production of more greenhouse gases and call for a formula that effectively penalizes those who now generate some power from renewable sources. For example, a company generating just less than 50 percent of its power from renewable sources could build a coal-fired plant if it also built two solar plants. If the company had no renewable energy sources, it could build as many coal plants as it liked and still lower its carbon-per-megawatt average by building a single solar plant.

Verdict: Total miss

Was Gibbons serious about reducing overall emissions? “His history on this subject is not a cause for optimism.” — Las Vegas Sun editorial after the April 2007 announcement

Verdict: Near total hit

“What concerns me is that the average citizen has to deal with whatever they put together, and it’s a closed-door system” that does not include suggestions from the public. — Monica Brett, College of Southern Nevada adjunct political science professor, April 2007

Note: Citizens had a chance to comment, but their remarks were not included in the report. Rather, they will be included as an attachment in future printings of the report.

Verdict: Total hit

We feel the governor’s creation of a Climate Change Advisory committee was a step in the right direction. — Scot Rutledge, executive director of the Nevada Conservation League, which favors reducing emissions.

Verdict: Near miss